Results 921-940 of 1,687 for speaker:Maria Byrne

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 Apr 2022)

Maria Byrne: I raise two issues, both of which the Leader has heard me raise in the past. One is University Hospital Limerick. There were 111 people on trolleys there yesterday. This day last week, there were 125 people on trolleys. It is unbelievable. Nothing has happened and things are not improving. Huge money has been thrown at the hospital and things are now at a critical stage. Many of the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Driver Licences (27 Apr 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for coming here to discuss this very important topic. I raise the cost of renewing driver licences for people with disabilities. When I renew my licence, as a person without a disability, it costs €55 for ten years. Those with a disability must renew their licence every three years at a cost of €35 each time. That means that over the ten-year...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Driver Licences (27 Apr 2022)

Maria Byrne: I know the Minister of State is here to read out what was given to him but I must say that is very disappointing. It is the cost of the licence and the cost involved in getting it. I understand the cost to the doctor is not covered by the Department of Transport but the fact that a person having to get three licences over the nine-year period is a matter covered by the Department of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Driver Licences (27 Apr 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State. I appreciate that.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Apr 2022)

Maria Byrne: I wish to pay tribute with two very inspirational young men. One is 12-year-old Pádraig O'Callaghan from Limerick and it is his birthday today. Recently he was appointed Limerick Person of the Year 2021. Every Monday he does a podcast and people should listen to this very inspirational young man because he motivates people. He talks about his disability but does not allow it to drag...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Apr 2022)

Maria Byrne: Today, the National Transport Authority, NTA, launched a report on transport infrastructure in Limerick and Shannon. The report is going out to public consultation. The northern distributor road is a key road, linking Moyross to the University of Limerick and on to the main Dublin road. This road has been debated high up and low down for three years, but it has suddenly disappeared from...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Apr 2022)

Maria Byrne: I will comment on this morning's sitting. I thank the Cathaoirleach and the Ceann Comhairle for organising it. It was a very respectful meeting. We heard the President referring to what is going on in his own country and paid our respects. I was in an emergency hub in Limerick where 22 people have arrived in recent days, and more are arriving today and tomorrow. The services that are...

Seanad: Covid-19: Statements (6 Apr 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister for coming to discuss this important topic today. I agree with Senator McGahon about the hype in the media, which led to some people feeling uncertain and further scaremongering. I understand the seriousness of the virus and I know of many people who died. We will have a commemoration service in Limerick this coming Sunday for people who died in Limerick during the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 Apr 2022)

Maria Byrne: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Tourism: Statements (5 Apr 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister for coming to discuss this important issue. The issue of skills shortages was raised and I, too, would like to raise it. I know, from speaking to many in the hospitality industry, that while the support that was put in place during Covid was most welcome and kept many businesses afloat, it has had knock-on effects. I am sure the Minister is aware of that. I note that...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Climate Action Plan (31 Mar 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach very much indeed. The Minister of State is very welcome and I thank him for coming here to debate this all-important topic. We are all concerned about climate but one thing that I am very concerned about and on which I am hearing from some farmers is that they are looking for a clear pathway as to what supports and grants are available to them in respect of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Climate Action Plan (31 Mar 2022)

Maria Byrne: I know it is not the Minister of State’s Department and I appreciate the fact that there is grant aid being provided. However, I would like to see a greater variety of grant aid. Supports need to be put in place. The Minister of State spoke of the 2030 food strategy group that has been set up. Ireland is at a crisis in terms of our grain and feed suppliers. Farmers have been...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 Mar 2022)

Maria Byrne: I rise to raise a number of issues. The census has been referred to. Question 23 on the census form relates to carers. Whether you are a paid permanent carer or a carer in the home, you are asked how many hours you contribute to caring for your loved ones. It is really important that people answer that question. Saturday, 2 April, is World Autism Awareness Day, and the theme for this...

Seanad: Consumer Protection (Regulation of Retail Credit and Credit Servicing Firms) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (31 Mar 2022)

Maria Byrne: Now.

Seanad: Consumer Protection (Regulation of Retail Credit and Credit Servicing Firms) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (31 Mar 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for his clear explanation of the Bill from start to finish and that has helped to bring everybody together. Well done.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Mar 2022)

Maria Byrne: I wish to raise two issues and one of them is public consultation, which I have just come from, on the M20 motorway between Limerick and Cork. This is a very special day because it is the first time that we have seen the proposed routes. The public consultation will go live at 12 o'clock today. I pay tribute to the team from the Limerick City and County Council that were the lead on this...

Seanad: Support to Ukraine: Motion (30 Mar 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House discuss this all-important issue. I pay tribute to my colleagues, led by Senator Seery Kearney, for putting together the motion. I welcome all the Ukrainians who have come to our shores and the many who will come in the near future. So many people are arriving daily. As for the motion, significant stress has been put on education, and...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Mar 2022)

Maria Byrne: I also rise to call for a debate on the reform of the leaving certificate. I was education spokesperson in the previous Seanad and have a keen interest in the area. I support Senator Malcolm Byrne's call. The main reason I rise is to raise a matter relating to the Revenue Commissioners. I have been inundated with calls from people who cannot get through to Revenue. There is a helpline...

Seanad: Impact on Farming Sector Arising from the Situation in Ukraine: Statements (29 Mar 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister for coming here to discuss this all-important issue. I welcome the fact that the Department is providing €400 per ha to encourage Irish farmers to grow more cereals to offset the loss of Ukrainian and Russian grains. The aim is to increase the amount of tilled land by 25,000 ha. While I know farmers will be going out to sow the crops, my concern is whether we...

Seanad: Consumer Protection (Regulation of Retail Credit and Credit Servicing Firms) Bill 2021: Second Stage (24 Mar 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to discuss this important Bill. I realise its significance in protecting the consumer. Like Senator Casey, Fine Gael will support this Bill. The primary purpose of the Consumer Protection (Regulation of Retail Credit and Credit Servicing Firms) Bill 2021 is to provide that any firm that offers credit under buy now, pay later...